The Coniston Hotel: Where Adventure Meets Stillness in the Yorkshire Dales

Wellness travel takes many forms. Sometimes it’s yoga at sunrise or hours lost in a spa. Other times, it’s fresh air in your lungs, mud beneath your tyres and the quiet confidence that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. My stay at The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales near Skipton, reminded me that adventure can be just as restorative as stillness.

Set within 1,000 acres of rolling countryside, The Coniston feels both expansive and intimate. It’s the kind of place where time naturally slows, where landscapes stretch out endlessly, and where the welcome is warm, grounded and unmistakably Yorkshire.

A Historic Estate Rooted in the Land

The Coniston Estate has a rich and layered history, dating back to the early 20^th Century, on land that formed part of the medieval Forest of Bowland. Over centuries, it evolved from monastic ownership to private estate, shaped by agriculture, quarrying and sporting pursuits that were intrinsic to life in the Dales.

Today, that deep connection to land and landscape remains central to the experience. Dry-stone walls criss-cross the hills, ancient woodland frames open moorland, and lakes shimmer quietly below the estate. This is a place where nature doesn’t feel curated — it feels respected.

Adventure as a Form of Wellbeing

Rather than positioning adventure as an add-on, The Coniston places it at the heart of the experience. Guests can choose from a range of outdoor pursuits designed to connect you to the land in different ways.

I opted for The Land Rover Experience, something I’d been quietly nervous about. I love driving, but off-road driving was entirely new territory for me. In fact, I nearly didn’t do it — worried I wouldn’t be very good, or that I’d feel out of my depth navigating the estate’s purpose-built off-road course.

I need not have worried.

Heading out in a brand new Land Rover Defender, under clear blue skies, I was guided by Damien, my instructor, whose calm confidence made all the difference. As we climbed steep inclines and descended into dips where you couldn’t see what lay ahead, I realised just how hard it is to relinquish control when you don’t know what’s over the hill — a metaphor for life if ever there was one.

At one point, I was asked to take my foot off all pedals and simply trust the vehicle. Later, I drove through deep water that reached halfway up the doors, tackled uneven tracks where wheels lifted off the ground, and came away with a genuine appreciation for the engineering brilliance of the Defender — and for my own ability to try something new.

For anyone who knows me, daily challenge is part of my wellbeing practice. That day, I ticked the box in the most exhilarating way.

Beyond the Land Rover Experience, The Coniston also offers:

• Archery and clay pigeon shooting, combining focus, skill and mindful presence
• Fishing on the estate’s tranquil waters
• Guided walks through moorland, woodland and lakeside trails, ideal for slower, reflective exploration

Whether high-energy or gently grounding, the options invite you to engage with nature on your own terms.

Nàdarra Spa: Elemental Calm in the Dales

After adventure comes restoration, and Nàdarra Spa delivers this beautifully. As the afternoon clouds rolled in and rain began to fall, I found myself immersed in the outdoor hydropools, steam rising as I looked out across the moody, rain-washed landscape — one of those moments where weather enhances, rather than detracts from, the experience.

Spa access includes:

• Indoor swimming pool
• Heated bubble pool
• Infrared sauna
• Himalayan salt sauna
• Aromatherapy steam room
• Two outdoor infinity pools overlooking the countryside

Lunch in the spa, followed by hours drifting between heat, water and quiet contemplation, felt deeply nourishing.

I also booked an ishga facial, which was nothing short of bliss. The name ishga comes from the Gaelic word for water, and the brand draws its power from sustainably hand-harvested Hebridean seaweed, sourced from the pure waters off Scotland’s northwest coast.

Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and bioactive minerals, the seaweed-based formulations are both gentle and transformative. The treatment felt grounding and elemental — a reminder of the deep intelligence of nature-led skincare.

Fireside Comfort and Thoughtful Hospitality

Evenings at The Coniston are designed for comfort. Dinner in the main restaurant was relaxed yet refined, with roaring fires, attentive staff and a sense that nothing was rushed. The following morning, before heading to my next destination, I settled into the bar with my laptop — open fire blazing, pots of tea arriving just when needed, and lunch providing the perfect pause between emails.

It’s rare to find a place that supports both productivity and deep rest so effortlessly.

A Different Kind of Wellness Escape

The Coniston is ideal for a weekend wellbeing retreat with a difference — one that honours movement as much as meditation, courage as much as calm. Whether you come for adventure, spa time, long walks or fireside stillness, the estate offers space to breathe, reflect and reconnect — with nature, and with yourself.

Sometimes wellbeing isn’t about slowing down. Sometimes it’s about trusting the journey, even when you can’t see what’s on the other side of the hill.

And The Coniston is a wonderful place to do just that.

DISCOVER: theconistonhotel.com